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Please do keep posting trial updates, you're keeping the rest of us informed as to what's happening!I'm not a postaholic - This is in my county and Rutgers is very close. The trial coverage is very heavy here, and as a Websleuther - I am comepletly riveted by the whole process.
I think Dharun Ravi should have testified in his own defense. I know he is not required to do this, but I think it could have gone in his favor. The only time the jury has heard Ravis own words were during the police interview, where he is seen:
1. Admitting to invading Tylers privacy counts 1, 3, 5, & 7
2. Lying about deleting or altering his texts counts 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15
Also, his own texts show that he reached out to Wei to discuss what she was going to tell the police count 14
The biggest charges, Bias intimidation counts 2, 4, 6 and 8, deal with Dharun Ravis state of mind and his purpose for committing these alleged acts against Tyler.
If the defenses position is that Ravi did not understand how far his actions would go, and/or that yes, Ravi did a bad thing, but not for any specific reason (that Tyler was gay) - he should have said it to the jury. He could have portrayed himself as a new college student, first time on his own, who was an immature, tech savvy guy, but not a person who targeted Tyler because Ravi disliked gays. The bad stuff is already out there (police interview), so I dont know what else the State could have uncovered under cross.
The judge, who I think is outstanding, is now confirming specific pieces of evidence with the PT & DT, along with their objections, and how his rulings will be applied to his Jury instructions.
I'm not a postaholic - this trial is in my county and Rutgers is very close. The coverage is very heavy in this area, and as a Websleuther - I am completely riveted by the whole process.
I think Dharun Ravi should have testified in his own defense. I know he is not required to do this, but I think it could have gone in his favor. The only time the jury has heard Ravis own words were during the police interview, where he is seen:
1. Admitting to invading Tylers privacy counts 1, 3, 5, & 7
2. Lying about deleting or altering his texts counts 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15
Also, his own texts show that he reached out to Molly Wei to discuss what she was going to tell the police count 14.
The biggest charges, Bias intimidation counts 2, 4, 6 and 8, deal with Dharun Ravis state of mind and his purpose for committing these alleged acts against Tyler.
If the defenses position is that Ravi did not understand how far his actions would go, and/or that yes, Ravi did a bad thing, but not for any specific reason - he should have said it to the jury. He could have portrayed himself as a new college student, first time on his own, who was an immature, tech savvy guy, but not a person who targeted Tyler because Ravi disliked gays. They can't undue what is shown in the police interview, and what else could the State have uncovered under cross specific to the bias charges? All Ravi had to do was maintain that he did not do this because he dislikes gays, say it was a stupid thing to do, but not a bias act.
The judge, who I think is outstanding, is now confirming specific pieces of evidence with the PT & DT, along with their objections, and how his rulings will be applied to his Jury instructions.
I'm not a postaholic - this trial is in my county and Rutgers is very close. The coverage is very heavy in this area, and as a Websleuther - I am completely riveted by the whole process.
I think Dharun Ravi should have testified in his own defense. I know he is not required to do this, but I think it could have gone in his favor. The only time the jury has heard Ravis own words were during the police interview, where he is seen:
1. Admitting to invading Tylers privacy counts 1, 3, 5, & 7
2. Lying about deleting or altering his texts counts 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15
Also, his own texts show that he reached out to Molly Wei to discuss what she was going to tell the police count 14.
The biggest charges, Bias intimidation counts 2, 4, 6 and 8, deal with Dharun Ravis state of mind and his purpose for committing these alleged acts against Tyler.
If the defenses position is that Ravi did not understand how far his actions would go, and/or that yes, Ravi did a bad thing, but not for any specific reason - he should have said it to the jury. He could have portrayed himself as a new college student, first time on his own, who was an immature, tech savvy guy, but not a person who targeted Tyler because Ravi disliked gays. They can't undue what is shown in the police interview, and what else could the State have uncovered under cross specific to the bias charges? All Ravi had to do was maintain that he did not do this because he dislikes gays, say it was a stupid thing to do, but not a bias act.
The judge, who I think is outstanding, is now confirming specific pieces of evidence with the PT & DT, along with their objections, and how his rulings will be applied to his Jury instructions.
Personally, I think Dharun Ravi will be convicted on all counts except count 14.
Is it possible the DT didn't put Ravi on the stand because he truly is homophobic? Maybe the DT was worried that the PT on cross would rile Ravi up & his true colors would be shown. I would think that the DT practiced w/ Ravi, &, possibly it didn't go so well.
Or, he generally doesn't do well (in practice) on the stand, &, the DT is afraid the jury just won't like him.
Were any of his friends called to testify on his behalf? Not family friends but his own friends. On Friday, on HLN they mentioned that he allegedly had a gay friend and this gay friend was going to testify. Did that happen?
Thanks for all the updates! They are very much appreciated for those of us at work!!
I have been following this trial and I personally think it is open and shut. As evidenced by the DT short defense, almost no defense. I think the state has proven invasion of privacy and I think the intent was there because of the subject matter.
Given the outcome I am sure Ravi is feeling pretty guilty and ashamed. I know that I would be horribly embarrased. I really feel sorry for his poor family who has been in court everyday. The whole incident is disgusting to me and Ravi definitely broke the law. jmo
To me from the little I have read, the bias intimidation was clear, from his own comments-he was disgusted by gays, and that's the reason he wanted to broadcast the webcam of Tyler to embarass him and discourage gay sex. Ravi's intent is what's important to me, not whether it actually got broadcast or not. There was more than one incident, if it was only once, I would agree that it was just "immaturity", but not when it happened twice!!!I agree w/ you, but, I'm not so sure he will be found guilty on the "bias intimidation" charge. The PT didn't seem to present enough evidence that he had a vendetta against gays.
There are different degrees to each charge, &, I don't know how this will play into how he's charged.
I think the "invasion of privacy" charge is a slam dunk.
I'm not a postaholic - this trial is in my county and Rutgers is very close. The coverage is very heavy in this area, and as a Websleuther - I am completely riveted by the whole process.
The judge, who I think is outstanding, is now confirming specific pieces of evidence with the PT & DT, along with their objections, and how his rulings will be applied to his Jury instructions.
IMO, I think Dharun Ravi should have testified in his own defense. I know he is not required to do this, but I think it could have gone in his favor. The only time the jury has heard Ravi’s own words were during the police interview, where he is seen:
1. Admitting to invading Tyler’s privacy – counts 1, 3, 5, & 7
2. Lying about deleting or altering his texts – counts 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15
3. Lying about what he thought his computer would capture – counts 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15
Also, his own texts show that he reached out to Molly Wei to discuss what she was going to tell the police – count 14.
The biggest charges, Bias intimidation – counts 2, 4, 6 and 8, deal with Dharun Ravi’s state of mind and his purpose for committing these alleged acts against Tyler.
If the defense’s position is that Ravi did not understand how far his actions would go, and that yes, Ravi did a bad thing, but not for any specific reason - he could have said it to the jury. He could have portrayed himself as a new college student, first time on his own, who was an immature, tech savvy guy, but not a person who targeted Tyler because he disliked gays. Ravi could have simply said it was a stupid thing to do, but not a bias act.
The DT can't undue what is shown in the police interview. Then there are all of the dorm mates who testified that twice Ravi set up his camera, tested it in other dorm rooms to ensure it was pointed at Tyler's bed, for the sole purpose of surreptitously capturing Tyler and MB antisipated (1st time) and then expected (2nd time) private sexual acts. Then there are Ravi's many texts and face-to-face conversations seeking an audience for his two surreptitious streams. One of his most damming text contains his own words - "keep the gays away".
IMO - I think Dharun Ravi will be convicted on all counts except count 14.
The few times I've watched him in court, he comes across as arrogant and cocky. I don't think he would hold up well on the stand. :moo: